Aviation enthusiasts are scratching their heads over the bizarre actions of a plane flying in the skies over Malta.

The Air Malta flight, AMC14JC, took off earlier tonight and did two circuits over the Mediterranean island - its flight plan creating two enormous hearts on Flightradar24.

Many plane watchers speculated that the odd aerial manoeuvres are a publicity stunt for the airline.

In February Air Malta organised a 'Love Plane' for couples looking for a "special and unique way to celebrate Valentine's Day".

The round trip flight, appropriately given the flight number of KM0214, took the couples over the Sicilian coastline, from Mount Etna up to Reggio Calabria, where they enjoyed a special romantic dinner in at 14,000 feet.

Passenger Paul Hili said: "It was lovely. We enjoyed it throughout.

"Congratulations to Air Malta on this original and well organised event and I hope that this encourages the airline to organise similar experiences in the future."